26/05/2025
𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 & 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫, 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤
ICAB President Ms. Maria Howlader FCA paid a courtesy call on Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor, Bangladesh Bank. The call-on was held on 26 May 2025 at the latter’s office, Motijheel, Dhaka. Mr. Shubhashish Bose, Chief Executive Officer of ICAB was also present during the call-on.
During the call-on, Ms. Maria Howlader FCA thanked Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur for giving the opportunity to pay courtesy call on him. As a gesture of good-will, the President-ICAB presented a flower bouquet and a souvenir to the Governor, Bangladesh Bank. She also informed him that ICAB has been actively working to strengthen the country's economic and financial sector development.
The Governor was briefed on the ICAB’s role as the primary regulator of accounting and auditing profession by bringing discipline & ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance in the financial reporting system. He was apprised of the positive impact of the Document Verification System (DVS) on the country's economic growth.
The President of ICAB drew the attention of the Governor’s to the issue of unequal treatment towards practicing Chartered Accountants (CA) in relation to Cash Incentive Audits. She requested the Governor to take the necessary steps to allow all practicing Chartered Accountants enlisted with the FRC to be eligible to conduct Cash Incentive Audits, to which he responded positively.
Additionally, the ICAB President requested the exemption of Chartered Accountants employed in banks from having to sit for the Banking Diploma examinations required for promotions. She pointed out that ICAB’s CA curriculum comprehensively covers subjects such as Business and Commercial Law, Financial Reporting, and Financial Management—providing members with sufficient knowledge and competence to pursue careers in banking and finance.
The ICAB delegation also discussed the Bank Companies External Audit Rules 2024 issued by Bangladesh Bank, along with ICAB’s standards for Minimum Man-Hours and Hourly Rates for bank audits. ICAB President emphasized that, given the expanded responsibilities and scope of auditors engaged in bank audits, audit fees should be set at reasonable enhanced levels. She also urged the Governor to consider formulating a policy to mandate the use of audit software in the banking sector.
In closing, the ICAB President sought continued support from Bangladesh Bank for the Institute’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the accounting and auditing profession and contributing to the nation’s economic development.
In response, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur commended ICAB’s contributions, particularly the implementation of the Document Verification System (DVS). He assured the Institute of his full cooperation and support. Furthermore, the Governor encouraged ICAB to take proactive steps in adopting emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and to promote the use of automation and audit software within the profession to further enhance efficiency and governance. He also encouraged to develop local audit software to minimize the cost of audit softwares by the practicing Chartered Accountants.
